Houseboat Expo

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What exactly is the National On Water Houseboat Expo? A great three-day dock party this summer that is specifically geared towards houseboating. On Friday, June 5 we’ll be celebrating our seventh On Water Expo at State Dock on LakeCumberland in Kentucky and our 16th year as the only houseboat-specific boat show. To help kickoff the three-day celebration we’re incorporating a Luau theme, which means the fun will carry on well past the scheduled hours of the show.

Friday’s show hours are from 2 pm to 7 pm (Central) with a live band that night for all patrons to enjoy. Then on Saturday, the show runs from 10 am to 6 pm and again a live band will perform to end the day. And on Sunday the hours range from 11 am to 4 pm and this year’s event promises to provide great products and lots of fun.

While the Luau theme will help keep the Expo fun, the real draw to our annual show is and always will be the exhibitors. Where else can you meet and talk with the houseboat manufacturers, tour dozens of new and used houseboats, run-a-bouts, pontoons, ski boats, shop for aftermarket products, as well view different types of secondary watercrafts? Plus the show will be staffed with insurance and finance companies, as well as houseboat brokers to help answer any questions you might have.

Besides the boat giveaway, on-dock poker run, food, prizes and entertainment, there will also be educational seminars held as well as a captain’s course where you can learn to operate a houseboat.

With live music on Friday and Saturday night following the show, you won’t want to leave State Dock and that’s what makes Houseboat Row so popular for attendees. State Dock converts many of its rental houseboats into “boatels” for the Expo. These houseboats do not leave the marina and are less expensive than most hotel rooms.

Plan on joining the Houseboat magazine staff at State Dock the first weekend in June for a once-a-year celebration of what makes houseboating so much fun.

Live Entertainment

Warnermann Boys starring Terry Wariner and Rick Mann. The five piece band performs Southern Rock to Classic Country with an edge, and a few originals tossed in for good measure. Terry and Rick have been performing together since they were in high school in Russell County, Kentucky. On occasion Terry still plays with his well known brother, Steve Wariner, in Nashville at the Grand Old Opry.

Boat Giveaway

The On Water Expo wouldn't be the same without our annual poker run. This year we are throwing in an extra bit of fun. Stay tunes for this year's give away.

Pricing and Tickets

1-day pas $103-day pass $20 (Free Expo shirt with three day pass while supplies last)Children under 13 are FREETickets and t-shirt will not be mailed on pre-orders. You can pick them up at the show. TICKET PAGE

Accommodations

Overnight Options:

Stay on "Houseboat Row" at State Dock - in the middle of all the action!

State Dock is unique in that during the On Water houseboat Expo they convert many of their rental houseboats into "boatels." These houseboaters do not leave the marina and are parked no "Houseboat Row" during the Expo. They are less expensive than most hotel rooms - AND - you won't miss any of the fun!

- They have boats that sleep from 10 to 16 people.- Check out this exclusive pricing for the On the Water Expo only.

“Want to win a FREE BOATEL? Show your spirit by decorating your boat with this year’s theme “Luau on the Lake”….aren’t renting a boatel this year? No problem. Just show up with your family or group dressed in Luau style. You will get added points for chants, songs, skits and other fun ideas. With a chant, a song, a skit or something fun. We will judge the winning group and provide you with a FREE boatel at our next show”

History

Each June houseboat enthusiasts from all over the world converge to not only tour dozens of houseboats, but to also celebrate the houseboating lifestyle and catch up with friends. Houseboat magazine’s annual National Houseboat Expo has become a staple for the industry since it’s the only show that brings all the houseboat manufacturers together, yet it’s hard to believe the show began from humble beginnings in attempt to give the houseboat market a venue of its own to showcase houseboat-specific products.

“Before our first run at it in 1999, the national and international show circuits offered next to none when it came to houseboats,” recalls Houseboat Editor Brady Kay. “Yet at this same time the houseboat market was in a rapid expansion. Several new houseboat manufacturers were popping up, our subscription numbers were accelerating by the day and boat facilities across North America had quickly come to appreciate an exclusive form of dock community—the houseboat marina. The timing was perfect for a show to call our own.”

Following the first Expo that was held in March of 1999 in Nashville, Tenn., the show ventured to other in-door locations including Louisville, Ky., as well as two Houseboat Expos out west in Reno, Nev.

With a successful following, in 2009 the show producers while searching for ways to improve on the ultimate and only houseboat-specific boat show, decided to take the National Houseboat Expo to the water and it was an instant hit.

“While traditional boat shows are indoors, the On Water Expo takes interested parties to the dock to see exactly what the houseboating lifestyle is like,” says Houseboat Publisher Greg Larsen. “It’s truly an experience like no other.”

In 2015, the On Water Expo will once again take over the docks at the State Dock Marina on LakeCumberland in Kentucky. The seventh annual on-water venue continues to attract houseboaters from all over the globe with this truly unique show that includes live music at night and houseboats that can be rented so attendees can stay near the action.

Houseboat Expo, Nashville, TN March 19-21, 1999

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY March 31-April 2, 2000

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY March 30-April 1, 2001

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY March 1-3, 2002

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY February 28-March 2, 2003

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY February 27-29, 2004

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY February 4-6, 2005

Houseboat Expo West, Reno, NV October 28-30, 2005

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY March 3-5, 2006

Houseboat Expo West, Reno, NV October 6-8, 2006

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY March 2-4, 2007

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY March 14-16, 2008

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY February 20-22, 2009

Houseboat On Water Expo, Jamestown, KY September 25-27, 2009

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY March 5-7, 2010

Houseboat On Water Expo, Jamestown, KY August 27-29, 2010

Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY March 18-20, 2011

Houseboat On Water Expo, Jamestown, KY August 26-28, 2011

Houseboat On Water Expo, Jamestown, KY June 8-10, 2012

Houseboat On Water Expo, Jamestown, KY June 7-9, 2013

Houseboat On Water Expo, Jamestown, KY June 6-8, 2014

Why Exhibit

Why should you exhibit with us?

§ Meet highly qualified, targeted attendees who are passionate about houseboating and the houseboating way of life.

§ The 2013 Houseboat Expo is the place to be if you want to see some of the industry's leading manufacturers unveil their brand-new, never before seen houseboats.

§ Hosted at the beautiful Lake Cumberland State Dock in Kentucky, this venue is perfect for houseboaters and enthusiasts alike to come together to learn, participate and buy all things houseboating.

§ The Houseboat Expo is promoted through the Houseboat Expo website, Houseboat Magazine's Website, Facebook pages, through affiliate websites, and in the pages of Houseboat Magazine and Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine - and this year, we're adding your logos to our t-shirts (space is limited)!!!

§ Once you sign up, we’ll help you tell everyone that you’re coming! Our promotions page has everything you’ll need to help promote your presence at the next Houseboat Expo!

§ Our popular Poker Run Tournament, which awards a new pontoon boat from Apex Marine to its winner, generates excitement and interest in attending the show.

§ All new for 2013: Two Brothers Grillin' is hosting their 1st Annual Chicken Wing Cook Off, along with more great food, prizes and music make the Expo a great place for people to experience the houseboating way of life while they visit exhibitors.

§ Attendees come from all over the country! Attendees last year represented the following states:

Convinced?

If you are interested in exhibiting, click here to get in contact with one of our reps.